Word Origin & History

1834, from double (adj.) + cross (n.) in the sense of "pre-arranged swindle or fix." Originally to win a race after promising to lose it. As a verb from 1903, American English. Related: Double-crossed; double-crossing.

Example Sentences fordouble cross

Why didn't you help me, instead of putting the double cross on me?

It looks to me like Uncle Sam was goin' to get the double cross.

Gave your friend the double cross, as I believe you would state it?

The design resembles the double cross, and is graved in the paste.

After that, there was a Mrs. foreman at the Double Cross until spring.

Didn't he make it plain that he wanted you to double cross the old man?

It's up to you to prove that there hasn't been a leak somewhere or a double cross.

In an instant Richard's battle-axe was in his hand, and a great oak had received a mark of a double cross.

Suppose Red Ike and his unknown friends got to know that the "double cross" was being put on them?

More than that, I'll acknowledge you at the proper time as my agent—planted there to double cross the fraud gang.